The annual ODS general membership meeting and quarterly board meetings have just been held in Springfield this past weekend, November 4. The general meeting was attended by several local members, the three candidates for USDF Region VI Director and the ODS Board. Biographies of the three candidates were also published in the October 2006 USDF CONNECTION magazine. ODS delegates who will be voting as your representative at convention are Francy Haupt, Rose Newman, Edwin Miller and myself.

The board meeting was very productive. A motion was made and passed to purchase the Errors and Omission Policy for ODS officers and board members including chapter officers. The chapters will be asked to pay approximately $50.00/year towards this coverage.

New officers were elected: President: Marsha Williams, President Elect: Kim Barker, Treasurer: John Craven, Secretary: Siobahn Barker. Directors at Large are: Francy Haupt, Siobahn Barker and Marsha Williams

As I read Sam Barish’s (USDF President) article in the November CONNECTION I was struck by the fact that the 5 key elements of the USDF strategy plan are really similar to the very items our own board has been committed to for the past few years: how to provide the services and programs to make membership meaningful and valuable to the wide variety of members. January 13 and 14 is the 2007 Board Retreat at Silver Creek Falls. This retreat is where many of our most creative and forward moving ideas have been inspired. This year some of our topics will include the league show program, a review of possible by laws revisions and board structure and possible revisions. The retreat is open to all board members, chapter officers and others interested in planning and directing the activities of the GMO.

Please renew your USDF GMO membership if you haven’t yet. It is so easy to do online and you can add the Participating Membership at the same time if you desire. The basic membership dues are $60.00/year. Corinne provided a breakdown of where this money goes which may make it more meaningful to you: $17.00 to USDF, $8.00 for FLYING CHANGES subscription, $9.50 for ODS publications. That leaves $25.50 to go toward the other ODS expenses which include the Office Manager’s Salary, Office and Storage unit rent, phone and website, office supplies, Insurance, Convention delegations, postage, office equipment and additions to the library.

Please don’t forget about your chapter’s commitment to the USDF Capital Campaign. The board has approved a $1,000 donation from the championship show proceeds and thanks to a generous $2,000 donation from Mid Valley Chapter the delegates will be taking a check for $3,000 to convention. This puts ODS about halfway to the 5 year pledge of $20,000 with three years to go!

Have a Wonderful and Happy Holiday Season! -Marsha